Stockbridge Common Marsh
Children will enjoy the river and a choice of cafes for ice cream and cake on this walk.
The Basics
Time: 45 minutes
Distance: 3.3 km
Terrain: Grassy paths across a common, rough and can be boggy, all flat
Pushchair: We would consider the path too rough and uneven for most pushchairs
Dogs: Yes, but must be on leads around the grazing cattle
Refreshments: Lots of options on Stockbridge High Street - we are big fans of Hoxton Bakery for pre-walk coffee and pastries, but Kudos Coffee and Meadow have particularly lovely settings with outdoor seating beside tributaries of the main river. There are a few pubs, including The Greyhound on the Test
Toilets: There are public toilets on the high street
Parking: There is free parking all along the high street (Postcode: SO20 6HF - W3W: skirting/commuting/pinging). There is also free parking in the National Trust Lion’s Den car park (Postcode: SO20 6JA - W3W: metals/rebounded/cracking)
Nestled in the Test Valley, half-way between Romsey and Andover, Stockbridge is a charming little town with streets lined with independent shops and eateries. The clear waters of The Test, filtered through chalk, make their way through Common Marsh and under the streets and bridges of the town. The common can be accessed directly from the high street and it makes the perfect place for a weekend exploration.
The Route
On the High Street, look out for Kudos Coffee. Just to the right of it, you will see a footpath leading away from the high street. Follow this, with a stream to your left. You will pass houses to your left and allotments to your right before the path reaches a bridge and takes you out into a large grassy area. Follow the path straight across until you reach the entrance to the Common Marsh. This is marked by a pond and wooden footbridge.
Once on the common, veer left and take the path furthest towards the boundary. Stick with this path, with the boundary to your left all the way to the top left corner of the common. The path does get rougher and muddier the further from the town you walk. At the top left corner, you will see a wooden walkway leading out of the common and at this point you should turn right to cross the short edge of the common.
At the next ‘corner’ you will see your first proper glimpse of The Marshcourt River, an offshoot of the River Test. Turn right here and then follow the path back down the other side of the common, now with the river directly to your left.
You will see the steeple of the church in the distance and this is your marker to head towards to bring you back to the bridge that will lead you to the high street again.
Note that there is cattle grazing the common, but they seemed a particularly docile herd.
Signage reports that there has been waste water contamination of The Test further upstream by Southern Water, so you should avoid letting your children or dogs enter the water.
Did you know?
Houghton Fishing club, based at The Grosvenor Hotel on the high street, is the oldest fishing club in England. It has exclusive rights to 13 miles of prime trout breeding waters - the envy of many a fisherman.
If you enjoyed this walk…
…try this one at Chilbolton Cow Common, which is another rare walk where there is public assess to The River Test.
